- Identify the title and the presenter.
The TED talk is titled “Help for kids the education system ignores.” The presenter is Victor Rios.
- Identify and prioritize the concepts.
The big idea for Rios’ speech is that instructors should help children from dropping out of school because of personal challenges.
It was essential to know some of the challenges the “dropouts” face in the street, including violence, harassment by the police, and incarceration. The speaker motivates the listeners that, with the help of another individual, the children can eventually have a positive view on education. Rios recommends that the mentor should allow the child to speak up whenever she or he feels ready.
It was interesting to know that even the individuals that the society believes are criminals who cannot change, can find meaning in their lives. A person identifies this meaningful purpose by helping others overcome challenges such as grief.
- Identify the communication function.
The communication function for Rios’ presentation is to persuade the educators to change their views towards children who have problems other than academic ones. The speech also motivates the listeners because he highlights how teachers can help a struggling child to realize their full potential through constant encouragement and concern for the child’s progress.
- Identify cognitive demands (Bloom’s Taxonomy).
The speech required the listeners to gain knowledge on what the children from vulnerable populations encounter. The listeners’ comprehension was also improved, whereby Rios included images of the individuals he was helping change their lives. For instance, the image on the group hug suggested by one of the kids he was helping makes the audience understand the importance of being there for others.
- Evaluate how the speech was organized.
The speech was organized in chronological order. Rios starts by giving his story and how his teacher inspired him until he successfully graduated from high school with straight As. Next, he talks of a group of youths he was helping in the same approach his teacher did. He shares William’s story, how he changed his attitude, and his success in high school. Rios also shares a picture of William as a successful security officer.
- Was the speech organized for a listener’s ears and not the reader’s eye?
The speech was organized for both the listener’s ears and the reader’s eye because the presenter also includes a PowerPoint presentation to support the main ideas.
- Evaluate how well the presenter stressed the keywords and included pauses.
Rios effectively uses keywords and pauses to stress his points. For instance, when he states what William’s suggestion for a lady who was crying, he uses a long pause after the word “Hey!” before saying, “Group hug!” It creates suspense among the listeners.
- What is one statement that the presenter used, which really made you stop and think?
The presenter regularly uses the term “Hey, I’m here for you whenever you’re ready” (Rios, 2015). This statement captured my attention because it stated in a polite way, and the end result is to get people to open up without feeling they are being judged.
- Questions to the presenter
- How do I tell that somebody is ready to talk?
- Did all the 40 youths from the LA program go back to school?
- The key take-away point
I would share with someone who did not hear the speech that it is essential to care for school dropouts rather than discriminate or stigmatize them. Caring motivates and gives the youth hope in life.
- Rate the presenter
I rate the presenter with a five (very effective). Rios combines body language, visuals, humor into his speech.
- Rate the content
I rate the material with a five (very informative and persuasive). The speaker manages to persuade the listeners that they should change their perspective on school dropouts and nurture them.
- Recommendation I would share with the presenter.
My suggestion will be that the mentorship programs should incorporate the help of family members, the teaching fraternity, state governments, and the community.